Science

The furthest reaches of the mysteries surrounding some of the deep questions of life may be beyond our ken to answer at present but science is peeling back some of the outlying shrouds.

Why take a cue from the behaviour-pattern that is said to typify the Ostridge?  We should consider all the new evidence that comes to light.  Light arguably is shed on aspects of our belief systems by scientific discoveries. If so, what is their possible significance?

There are several scientists or former scientists who take the view that spirituality and an understanding of th human condition can be based on scientific findings.  References to some of these teachers are on the ‘Links’ page of this website under both ‘Spiritual Matters’ and ‘Science’ but what exactly is the science that propels us in this direction; how certain is it?  Truth – be it of the nature of the world, or Nirvana, outer space, or numbers etc – is rarely understood by gazing at equations or considering entities such as quarks or neutrons.   They can carry someone originating a theory part of the way but fuller realisation can come in a ‘Eureka’ moment.  It is rare that a new Big Idea finds instant universal acceptance or acclaim but it behoves us to keep an open mind about some of the thinking that has been going on by people who know their science.   Hypotheses based on evidence may fall short of proofs as needed in a court room or a laboratory but may be allowable pro tem even if the jury is still out.  Not all scientific experimentation or the conclusions drawn from it stack up but earnest, expert experiments to try to tease out deep meanings deserve an open-minded hearing.

What do the findings, or some of the findings, tell us about the significance of our beliefs?

Scientific Discovery over time affects perceptions of man’s place in the scheme of things. It is no longer generally felt that the physical universe assigns geographic space to heaven or hell; if we look upwards to the heavens it is not that we think ‘Heaven’ is above rather than below earth while even Norse descendants shivering in their freezing zones no longer bend a knee during thunder storms to Thor.

The areas on this website suggested for possible reflection are but the tip of the iceberg.

It is axiomatic that scientific discoveries affect our thinking and philosophy about our world view, from psychology to spirituality. Man’s place in the cosmos is foremost among these. One way in which our perspective on our place in the universe has been affected by scientific discovery is that of Quantum physics. (See ‘Links’ page on this institute) Other areas of our thinking constantly are being refreshed by scientific discoveries, for instance:

In ‘The Source’ by Dr Tara Swart grounds Life Coach self-help and psychiatry on the latest findings in Neurophysics. See the review on this book

‘Eastern’ thinking has permeated the mainstream of Western thought. In the final section of the article on ‘Non-Duality and its Implications’. Roy Maunder unpicks some of the areas in which Philosophy and science are closing their gap.

What recent findings in science may affect our perception of our place in the universe?

Below are some of the questions in this context:

• In what way if any are we connected to everything around us?
• Can there be communication perhaps at a distance ‘remotely’ between people and/or other entities?  If so, by what means might it be conducted if not by language?
• is there a fundamental animating spirit in our biological make-up? If so, what might this animating spirit be?
• What kind of universe is it that we are in?
• If man is not the architect of himself, does this imply that there is another ‘architect’?   If so, what deductions about ‘it’ does rigorous conjecture lead?
• We come from the stars; is our composition or consciousness different in kind from what is in the cosmos; if so why should this be the case?
• Do the recent revelations about the workings of the human body including its sub-atomic parts have a relevance to what and who we are and, if so, what is it?
• What do discoveries about the natural world have to tell us about ourselves?
• What Is the connection between consciousness and quantum physics?
• Can human biology be physically changed by human intention?  If so, how?

An illustration from the world of physics is a basis of this article on the distinction between between intellectual and ruminative reflection

The Brain of Einstein

Einstein’s brain was preserved after his death in 1955, but this fact was not revealed until 1978.

Read about Einstein’s Brain on Wikipedia

An illustration from the world of physics is a basis of this article on the distinction between between intellectual and ruminative reflection